LEGACY OF VIRGIL VOGEL

If you have been a fan of the western genre for any extended length of time, one name is synonymous with a majority of the popular westerns that lovers of the genre have come to cherish over the years. And that name is Virgil Vogel. Just watch the credits roll after an episode of Wagon Train or Bonanza and that name will be commonplace in many episodes of those series.

Although an editor in Hollywood for several years, Vogel reached a point where he wanted more. And in the 1950s, he decided to persist at his chance at becoming a director. After proving himself with a single picture that was handed to him upon his unrelenting tenacity, Virgil got his big break and to this day is credit with directing approximately eighty items to his credit. Among them are many episodes of classic western television.

Vogel would go on after his mid-50s debut to direct eighty episodes of Wagon Train, forty eight episodes of The Big Valley, three episodes of The High Chaparral, and five episodes of Bonanza. He would also direct single episodes of various westerns such as Laramie, Overland Train, The Deputy, Whispering Smith, The Oregon Trail, and A Man Called Shenandoah. Other claims to fame include his directing skills on the award-winning masterpiece television mini-series Centennial and also eighteen episode of the 90s western The Young Riders. He also in later years would direct the pilot episode of the wonderful hit 90s modern western Walker Texas Ranger. Vogel also directed many episodes of popular crime dramas in the 70s and 80s. In addition, he wrote three episodes of Wagon Train.

Personally, I've found that some of the best episodes of my favorite classic westerns were directed by Vogel. That's not to say the others were not good. Nothing could be farther from the truth! But every once in awhile I'll see his name at the end of the episode and think, "Yep. I knew there was a reason I liked this episode." So the next time you're watching a classic western, be sure to see if Virgil W. Vogel directed the episode you watched. And tip your Stetson to yet another man of many who has helped paved the way and made legendary television that we still cherish today.